T20 World Cup for the Blind: Pakistan could play in India

Mahantesh GK, the president of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), confirmed that the Pakistan cricket board had confirmed that their visually-impaired team would play in the tournament.

Apart from India and Pakistan, eight other teams — Australia, England, South Africa, West Indies, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal — will compete at the tournament.(Getty Images)

Pakistan’s blind cricket team is likely to travel to India to compete at the 2nd T20 World Cup for the Blind, starting on January 28 next year.

Mahantesh GK, the president of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), confirmed that the Pakistan cricket board had confirmed that their visually-impaired team would play in the tournament.

“We’re doing our bit. Hopefully the governments of both countries give their ‘No Objection’ letters. Things should become better by then,” Mahantesh told reporters in Mumbai.

Relations between the two neighbouring countries have deteriorated further after the Pathankot and Uri terror attacks. This led to the Pakistani kabaddi team missing the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup held in Gujarat earlier this year.

Interestingly, no Pakistan matches have been scheduled in Mumbai which has seen protests from regional political parties in the past to India having sporting ties with Pakistan.

“The schedule has been very well thought out. The Pakistan team will land in New Delhi and play all their matches there bar a few games in Bangalore,” Mahantesh added.

Apart from India and Pakistan, eight other teams — Australia, England, South Africa, West Indies, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal — will compete at the tournament.